§ 5. Mr. Gerald Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied that public sector higher education can attract lecturers of appropriate quality in sufficient numbers against competition from the universities.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Peter Brooke)Yes, Sir. I am not aware of any significant recruitment difficulties at present.
§ Mr. BowdenIn considering the future funding and staffing of higher education in the public sector, will my hon. Friend take careful note of the views of the Association of Polytechnic Teachers, a union which is concerned with the interests of teachers in polytechnics as well as with maintaining academic excellence in those institutions?
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend and I entertain representations from many bodies on many subjects, the APT among them, and we are always happy to receive them.
§ Mr. FlanneryIs it not a fact that there is often competition between the two? Has the Minister noticed in Northern Ireland, for example, where the new University of Ulster did not manage to get its intake of students, that as a result of the Select Committee going there and discussing the matter with them there is now a fusion between the Ulster polytechnic and the new University of Northern Ireland? Is that not a harbinger for the future, when the two should be wedded together? Is it not something about which we should all think deeply in the interests of higher education?
§ Mr. BrookeIn fluid times a number of different proposals are put to the Government, including proposals for polyversities, and clearly the Government will entertain each on its merits.
§ Mr. FlanneryThe answer was too brief.